By Sister Dana Van Iquity–
Sister Dana sez, “Presi-dense Trump has made over 1,320 false or misleading claims over 265 days. Rhymes with peach?! Do it, already!”
TRANSGENDER LAW CENTER celebrated 15 years of igniting change and doing what it takes to keep transgender and gender nonconforming people alive, thriving, and fighting for liberation. They have grown to a staff of 31 people. The event, SPARK!, was held at the Bently Reserve on Spirit Day—when activists were asked to wear purple and turn our social media into purple backgrounds. “With the continuous attempts to roll back protections, it can be hard to remember we’ve come a long way—and that we know how to survive, no matter what comes our way in the future,” said TLC Executive Director Kris Hayashi. He said TLC has become “the largest national trans-led organization advocating self-determination for all people.” The emcee was Ivory Aquino, who was born and raised in Manila, Philippines. As a child, she dreamed of one day being an actress in New York City and playing Shakespeare’s great heroines. She now lives in New York and has starred as Juliet and Isabella in Bryant Park Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and Measure for Measure. Most recently, Ivory portrayed Transgender Law Center’s very own Cecilia Chung on the ABC miniseries When We Rise and will next be seen on HBO’s High Maintenance. She gave a shout-out to Chung in the audience. “My deepest thanks to Transgender Law Center for having me and for making it their mission to make lives like mine possible,” she said. “To Cecilia, who has become a dear friend and provides inspiration for so many of us, and all my love to my dearest friends and family. And for anyone out there who feels different but is truly special.” Representative Nancy Pelosi and the State Senate sent certificates of recognition to TLC.
UCSF ALLIANCE HEALTH PROJECT presented at Metreon Cityview ART FOR AIDS, a yearly art for auction fundraiser with Patrick Walsh as energetic auctioneer. Executive Director James Dilley and Director Lori Thoemmes spoke about AHP. Founded as the AIDS Health Project in 1984, AHP is one of the longest-running mental health organizations in the world for people with HIV- and LGBTQ-related concerns. As one of the best medical schools in the world, AHP also engages in innovative mental health care research and equips providers in the field with continuing education. Senator Scott Wiener, who was in attendance, said he was “looking to take this model statewide.” My absolute favorite piece of art—selling for $2,400—was “Doesn’t She” by Jack Fulton from his B&W photo portfolio, Nellies (K) Night San Francisco Halloween, 1968. Why? Because Halloween was the only period in which cross-dressing was permissible and legal at that time. He looked so stylish in that dress! The most humorous to me was Sean O’Donnell‘s found vintage and reclaimed objects piece, “Jesus Gave Up Art School for Your Sins”—a crucifix mounted on a cutting board. Joseph Abbati gets a mention from me because his “Sister Roma” is my dear fellow nun. She is portrayed in a 36″ x 36″ cotton jacquard tapestry and jute. Huge. My complaint: Why can’t he do a “Sister Dana” on a lousy little cocktail napkin?! I don’t ask much. ucsf-ahp.org
KREWE DE KINQUE, San Francisco’s charitable Mardi Gras Club, held our monthly fundraiser at The Edge in the Castro with proceeds going towards our Bal Masque VX fund benefiting LARKIN STREET YOUTH SERVICES. KdK Queen VII Sister Dana worked the door and collected donations from many lovely giving folks. The event was femceed by the fabulous Cruzin D’Loo—crackin’ us up nonstop. There were delightful lip-synch performances by Miss Chief and WooWoo Monroe, former Krewe de Kinque King Kippy Marks on the electric violin, and live singing by former KdK King Mark Paladini. DJ Jack Rojo got us grooving and dancing. Be sure to mark your calendars for the next every-third-Saturday KdK pre-Thanksgiving at The Edge on November 18th!
Sister Dana sez, “Trump & Repugnicans’ tax cut bill for the rich is a real turkey that cannot be pardoned on Thanksgiving or any other time.”
COMFORT AND JOY brought some radical queer fashion realness back into the heart of the Castro with FREAK CHIC at the ArtSavesLives Gallery. This one-of-a-kind fashion show featured jaw-dropping, freaky looks by designers like Kaleidascope, Jacob Perkins and his crocheted aliens, and Salamander with his erotic, sensual poetry and phallic-centered fashion, as well as divine dance and drag performances by Larissa De La Playa and Grace Towers, not to mention the C&J-supported art projections on the wall. And we wannabee models got to get photographed by Dot. Check out the fierce models at PhotobyDot.com/FreakChic2017
Sister Dana was snapped wearing a “red wine bottle” gown by Thomasina de Maio. Chic? Maybe. Freak? Mos’ def’!
Topping off our Halloween/Samhain weekend, Comfort & Joy served up a very special Castro block party on Noe Street between Market and Beaver. For nearly two decades, GAYGLO GUERRILLA THEATER was an infamous hallmark of the Castro’s radical queer culture, shutting down streets and delighting thousands of spectators with its amazing black-light performances and saucy commentary. The evening’s finale featured a spectacular GayGlo Guerrilla Theater performance led by original organizers Chickpea, Frieda Lay, and Sandy Shorts.
Sister Dana sez, “Can’t you just smell the Thanksgiving turkey in the air? Too soon? Okay, then why not enjoy these non-Thanksgiving events?”
THE SAN FRANCISCO TRANSGENDER FILM FESTIVAL (see page 25 for an interview with SFTFF Artistic Director Shawna Virago) announces its 20th Anniversary festival: a stellar collection of transgender films from around the globe. This year’s festival takes place at The Roxie Theater, 3125 16th Street, November 10–12. Buy a festival pass and get access to all programs. Festival passes available for purchase every day online and at the door. sftff.org/calendar
THEATRE RHINOCEROS presents THE NORMAL HEART by Larry Kramer, directed by John Fisher at The Gateway Theatre (formerly The Eureka Theatre), 215 Jackson Street & Battery, playing November 3–25. This is a searing drama about public and private indifference to the AIDS plague and one man’s lonely fight to awaken the world to the crisis. Produced to acclaim in NYC, London, and Los Angeles. therhino.org
PROJECT INFORM offers AN EVENING OF HOPE for a festive evening of cocktails, delicious food, music, education and inspiration on Saturday, November 11, 7–10 pm at The Lodge at the Regency Center, 1290 Sutter Street (between Van Ness and Polk). This year they will be featuring stories from around the country about the many ways in which Project Inform’s leadership in the HIV and hepatitis C epidemics has touched and transformed peoples’ lives. Featured guests are Senator Scott Wiener, comedian Casey Ley, Kitten on the Keys, aerialist Gemiah Kurzfeld and Synchronicity Strings. projectinform.org
Sister Dana sez, “Thank you so much Senators McCain, Corker, and Flake for standing up against narcissistic, fascistic man-child T-rump! When will the cowardly sycophants in the Repugnican Congress grow a pair and tell it like it is regarding the White House and the debasing of our nation?!”
Recent Comments